Issues Oriented 2

Nuclear Waste 2

Climate Change 3

Forestry and Mining 3

Community

Resiliency

4

2011-2012

Board of Directors

4

Financial Report

5

Acknowledgements 5

Looking Ahead

6

At this year’s AGM we are cele-

brating Environment North’s 40

year Anniversary. “People to

Clean Up Lake Superior” began

in 1972 as a small group of

concerned citizens. PTCULS

(they weren’t thinking about a

nifty acronym) soon grew to

become Environment North, an

environmental organization with

a considerable history in North-

western Ontario.

PICTULS was the first regional

group to express concern over

toxins such as asbestos and the

high levels mercury being re-

leased into Lake Superior by

industry. After a couple of years

this group became Environment

North and legally incorporated

with non-profit and charitable

status in 1976.

Environment North (EN), the

Citizens Committee Studying

Nuclear Waste, the Atikokan

Citizens for Nuclear Responsi-

bility and many others, were

fundamental in stopping Atomic

Energy of Canada’s (AECL) plan

to bury nuclear waste near

Atikokan. This was a time be-

fore “social media” so network-

ing took place by phone, snail

mail, print media, in person

meetings and theatre.

Some accomplishments of the

next decades included partici-

pation in Ontario’s Lands for

Life process and ensuring an

increase in the area of protect-

ed land in the Boreal West Re-

gion to 14%. In 2004, mem-

bers of EN ensured that

SynFuel’s proposal to build a

power plant in Thunder Bay,

utilizing toxic tar sands waste

as a fuel, would be subject to

an Environmental Assessment.

Synfuel did not complete the

assessment process.

It is evident that over the years

one of ways EN has exerted its

influence is by calling for appro-

priate government environmen-

tal processes and also by partic-

ipating in these processes. This

is a strategy that we continue to

engage in, though some of

these environmental processes

and opportunities for public

engagement are at risk of being

eliminated.

There have been government

cutbacks to monitoring climate

change and water quality. The

future of federal and provincial

government processes such as

environmental assessments are

in jeopardy.

Environment North is proud of

its 40-year history and accom-

plishments in the environmen-

tal movement. On behalf of the

Board of Directors, I want to

thank all of you who have been

part of the organization during

that time. As volunteers, you

have many competing demands

on your time and we appreciate

that some of the time you have

spent has been with us as we

work together for a sustainable

future for our local and regional

communities. And, we look

forward to your continued in-

volvement!

Here’s to the next 40!

Charlene Rogers President

A Message from the President

2011 Annual Report

Environment north

A waterlily in Whitewater Lake north of Armstrong

Inside the Report

development of renewable en-

ergy, major commitments to

efficiency and conservation,

changes to building design and

lifestyle adjustments. The re-

wards are considerable: sus-

tainable energy, a cleaner envi-

ronment and new green econo-

mies.

In 2011, EN submitted com-

ments at the Darlington hear-

ings stating that we are op-

posed to the construction of

two new nuclear power plants

primarily because of the eco-

nomics and the creation of

more nuclear waste.

Several communities, including

a number in Northwestern On-

tario, have expressed interest in

possibly hosting a disposal site

for nuclear waste. It is im-

portant for the community

members to have information

from other points of view, not

only the Nuclear Waste Man-

agement Organization. To this

end, EN assisted Northwatch in

bringing some of the environ-

Nuclear Energy is back in the

spotlight as a result of the dis-

aster at Fukishima, public hear-

ings regarding the potential

construction of two new nuclear

plants at Darlington in southern

Ontario (which ironically oc-

curred within days of the Fuki-

shima disaster) and the search

by Canada’s Nuclear Waste

Management Organization to

find a nuclear waste disposal

site. All of the above highlight

the safety, cost and environ-

mental issues.

Environment North believes

that society can choose a better

way. We support a rolling stew-

ardship of monitoring the waste

on site until it is absolutely nec-

essary to move. The safety of

geological disposal must be

better assured or ideally anoth-

er solution found. Environment

North supports a gradual phase

-out of nuclear energy. There

are published scenarios for

Ontario’s electricity supply with-

out coal and without nuclear.

This will take time, responsible

mental concerns to the commu-

nities of Ear Falls, Ignace, Sioux

Lookout, Red Lake and Nipigon.

These concerns include: the

safety and feasibility of geologi-

cal disposal and the safety and

emergency preparedness along

transportation routes. In addi-

tion, an “out of sight out of

mind” disposal may promote

additional development of nu-

clear energy. And finally, there

is the concern that through free

trade agreements, these com-

munities could be required to

host U.S. nuclear waste as well.

“Into Eternity” - a film that takes

a philosophical approach to the

inherent difficulties associated

with long-term geological dis-

posal of nuclear waste, was

shown by the EFN in partner-

ship with EN in Thunder Bay

and in partnership with North-

watch in Ear Falls and Ignace.

Community screenings can be

arranged through EFN.

tario Trillium Foundation, EN

and EFN are partners on an 18

month long project beginning in

January 2012. Films are shown

at the historic Paramount Thea-

tre. In the past fall season EFN

has featured Mother Nature’s

Child and So Right So Smart.

Consider making every third

Wednesday of the month a

“Green Night”. Begin with green

conversation and dinner at

“Green Drinks” followed by the

movie and post-film discussion

at the Paramount (to get on the

Green Drinks location email list

contact EcoSuperior). Upcoming

movies will be posted on the

EFN website and the EN Events

Calendar.

The EN website was redesigned

to reflect our new issues orient-

ed strategy. Environment North

will be concentrating on four

main environmental issues:

Nuclear Waste, Forestry and

Mining, Climate Change and

Community Resiliency. If you

are interested in being part of a

working group on any of these

issues, please contact us at

environmentnorth@gmail.com.

What follows in the next two

pages is a summary of our ac-

tivities in these areas. Full ver-

sions of our letters to govern-

ment, reports and articles in the

Chronicle Journal are available

on our website.

In October 2011 we received a

grant from the Ivey Foundation

to keep environmental issues a

priority in the provincial election

through various media. We ran

radio ads and surveyed the

candidates on a number of

environmental issues. A con-

densed version of their respons-

es was published in the Chroni-

cle-Journal. The ads and the

more detailed responses to the

survey are available on our

website.

Public awareness and educa-

tion on environmental issues is

one of EN critical roles and we

have collaborated with the Envi-

ronmental Film Network (EFN)

to help fulfill this mandate.

Thanks to a grant from the On-

“ A vote for the Economy

is a vote for me.

A vote for the Environment

is a vote for me AND

my grandchildren”

Scott Harris

Board Member

Page 2

Nuclear Waste Management Organization

www.nwmo.ca/sitingprocess

Issues Oriented

Entrance to Finland’s nuclear waste

disposal site, under construction

From the film “Into Eternity”

Nuclear Waste

Frequently used Acronyms

EN Environment North

EFN Environmental Film Network

Climate Change

Environment North and North-

ern Connections participated in

the first Eco-fair in Red Lake in

April. A ‘Leap into the Lake for

Climate Change’ was a fund-

raiser for the local homeless

shelter. A large patch was cut

in the ice and people in dry

diving suits helped keep every-

one safe. Graham Saunders

(EN) and Peter Rosenbluth (NC)

were among the 22 brave leap-

ers!

Environment North published

three Chronicle Journal articles

related to climate change is-

sues: one by Julee Boan on the

Green Energy Act and another

by Kerstin Muth on future in-

creased of renewable energy

transmission in and out of the

Northwest. The final article of

the year was by Graham Saun-

ders and Kerstin Muth about

current and future amounts of

snow. Snow amounts in the

next 100 years are predicted to

decrease for southern areas of

the northwest.

Graham Saunders also ap-

peared on Scot Kyle’s LU radio

show discussing “Climate De-

stabilisation”. Graham and

Scott Harris attended the 50th

anniversary of Canadian Engi-

neers. Their conference topic in

2011 was on renewable and

sustainable technologies.

Susan Grinstead wrote an open

letter to Prime Minister Stephen

Harper voicing disappointment

with the end of the federal Ener-

gy Retro-fit program which pro-

vided incentive for homeowners

to make significant energy use

reductions.

Christine Penner,

co-organizer of the Eco-Fair in Red Lake,

Is about to take a

“Leap for Climate Change”

April , 2011

Climate Change is upon us.

Reduction of greenhouse gas

emissions is critical to prevent

the worst. However, we will also

need to adapt to changes such

as an increasing frequency of

severe weather events. Envi-

ronment North and Northern

Connections hosted the confer-

ence: “Moving towards Adapta-

tion”. Northern Connections

(NC) is a collaboration between

EN, Ontario Nature, the An-

ishinabek of Gitchi Gami, North-

ern Ontario Sustainable Com-

munities Partnership, the Sault

Naturalists of Ontario, and

Michigan, Food Security Re-

search Network, and EFN. Peter

Rosenbluth (NC) also wrote an

article on behalf of EN about

adaptation in infrastructure,

forestry and agriculture as the

climate changes.

Page 3

Environment North

is participating in the

first-ever federal/

provincial joint panel

review of a mine in

Ontario—the

Marathon PGM-Cu

project.

tions from the Endangered Spe-

cies Act for most industrial uses

for some zones. The entire cari-

bou habitat range should be

subject to regulations under the

Endangered Species Act.

Scott Harris attended the Bio-

economy conference organized

by the Canbio (Canadian Bioen-

ergy Association). This organi-

zation is interested in the devel-

opment, promotion and use of

bioenergy. Scott’s article on

biomass energy in the Chronicle

Journal outlines some of the

environmental concerns of

large scale biomass energy

production.

MINING

Mining in Northwestern Ontario

has always been an environ-

mental concern, but it is not

until a new project is proposed

and an environmental assess-

ment (EA) undertaken, that

public awareness and participa-

FORESTRY

2011 was the United Nations

Year of the Forest and our bore-

al forest was highlighted in a

Chronicle Journal article by

Kerstin Muth.

Forestry and Mining industries

continue to impact boreal eco-

systems. In particular these

activities will continue to stress

the caribou and impact water

quality. At the same time they

offer economic benefits. Indus-

trial development needs to ob-

serve and improve on best prac-

tices and in some areas be

limited in order to maintain the

vitality of this ecosystem.

Julee Boan submitted com-

ments regarding the woodland

caribou protection approach.

Environment North strongly

disagrees with the proposed

approach that would separate

the caribou habitat into differ-

ent zones and provide exemp-

tion can occur. Environment

North is participating in the first

-ever federal/provincial joint

panel review of a mine in Ontar-

io—the Marathon PGM-Cu pro-

ject. During the first phase of

the EA, Charlene Rogers pre-

pared comments on the Draft

Environmental Impact Assess-

ment Guidelines. Together with

Peter Rosenbluth and Lauren

Nelson, Charlene also prepared

a report entitled “Public Com-

ment Analysis of Panel Re-

viewed Environmental Assess-

ment Projects in Canada” which

provides an overview of the

efficacy of citizen involvement

in early stages of the EA pro-

cess. Both of these documents

are available for download on

the EN website.

Environment North will continue

to participate in mining EAs

over the next several years.

Forestry and Mining

Ring of Fire area

The 2011 AGM featured Faisal

Moola discussing Natural Capi-

tal. He proposes that it is in the

best interest of a community to

maintain and enhance natural

areas for the “services” they

provide such as cleaning the air

and water and providing recrea-

tional and psychological well-

being.

The development of green econ-

omies are key to community

sustainability. Environment

North and the Environmental

Film Network were part of the

Green Trade Show in Terrace

Bay and the Green Expo in

Thunder Bay. In September,

Graham Saunders was a panel

member in the Energy Session

at The Green Economy Forum

organized by Northern Connec-

tions.

Environment North supported

Deanna Ford in attending a

conference in Toronto organ-

ised by the Canadian Associa-

tion of Professional Speakers.

She has started a new business

as a professional public speak-

er on environmental issues.

Elysia Petrone-Reitberger wrote

article on the demise of the

Lake Superior Binational Fo-

rum. Loss of support from the

Federal Government will seri-

ously reduce the ability of com-

munities around Lake Superior

to educate, monitor and reduce

the level of toxins.

Members of EN visited the

Greenwich Windfarm in Dorion.

This natural resource provides

greener energy , helps to eco-

nomically sustain a community

and will never run out.

Kerstin Muth is the representa-

tive from EN on the Earthwise

Energy Working Group. The

group is updating its Net-zero

energy for business manual to

reflect some the changes in

incentive programs and other

resources. The group is also

examining how the Energy

chapter of the Community Envi-

ronmental Action Plan can be

reflected in the city’s Official

Plan. Lucy Laframboise and

Scott Harris represented EN on

the Earthwise Education Work-

ing Group.

Lucy has also been working to

reduce disposable bag use in

Thunder Bay.

Encouraging local food produc-

tion is part of ensuring commu-

nity resiliency. Environment

North was a sponsor of Garden-

ing with Short Growing Seasons

by Graham Saunders. There

are only a small number of cop-

ies remaining at the Bay Credit

Union.

Julee Boan

Sue Grinstead (secretary)

Scott Harris

Ian Kaufman

Lucy Laframboise

Lea Matyuska (treasurer)

Elysia Petrone-Reitberger

Charlene Rogers (president)

Graham Saunders (vice-president)

The Board welcomed Lucy Laframboise for her

first term as a board member and appreciates her

great enthusiasm and dedication to environmen-

tal causes, in particular climate change.

Thank you and best wishes to Ian Kaufman and

Elysia Petrone-Reitberger for their contributions.

Both are continuing their environmental efforts in

other avenues. Ian is busy with his role as sus-

tainability commissioner with the Lakehead Uni-

versity Students Union (LUSU) and also with the

True North Community Cooperative. Elysia is cur-

rently living in Hamilton. She was the LUSU sus-

tainability commissioner prior to Ian. She has

recently completed her thesis titled Negotiating

Change in the 21st century: A look at the Ontario

Mining Act Consultation Process.

Community Resiliency

2011-2012 Board of Directors

One of the final wind towers under construc-

tion at the 99 MW Greenwich windfarm near

Dorion. Environment North members

Scott Harris, Lucy Lafromboise, Charlene

Rogers and Kerstin Muth visited the nearly

completed windfarm in October 2011.

“Never doubt that a

small group of

thoughtful ,

committed, citizens

can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only

thing that ever has.”

~ Margaret Mead

Central Natural Environment Garden

maintained by EcoSuperior

Page 4

Page 5

Environment North thanks the members for their ongoing interest and support.

We recognize in particular the many contributions of the Bay Credit Union. We

also greatly appreciate the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal for regularly publish-

ing our articles.

Acknowledgements

2011 Financial Report

Looking out to the Slate Islands from the Terrace Bay Beach

December 2011 December 2010

Receipts

Memberships $330.00 $620.00

Donations: Individual 55.00 448.16

Corporate 250.00

Grants and Project Funding 11,090.19

Project Fundraising 1000.00 1300.00

Other 0 120.00

Total Reciepts $12,725.19 $2,488.16

Expenditures

Charitable Programs and Donations $7521.39 $290.00

Meetings and communication 2,284.15 768.51

Fundraising, conferences 2,933.77 2,295.47

Salary and Benefits 0 0

Membership Fees Paid 85.00 0

Honorariums 0 1,000.00

Professional Fees 0 0

Banking Fees 18.00 10.50

Other 0 0

Total Expenditures $12,842.31 $4,364.48

Assets Liabilities

Bay Credit Union PCA $6,927.76 Lake Superior Initiative $1,392.11

Bay Credit Union term 10,211.08 Climate Initiative 440.46

Food Initiative 186.60

Ivey Project 554.86

Enduring Property 14,564.81

Total s $17,138.84 $17,138.84

ance with the new Act. Changes

related to registered charities

suggested by the federal gov-

ernment will also be reviewed in

order to ensure we meet any

new requirements.

We are pleased to announce

that funding is in place for the

Forest Food Initiative, a collabo-

ration of Ontario Nature, the

True North Community Co-

operative and EN. The purpose

of the initiative is to ensure the

resiliency of forest food systems

in northern Ontario through

education, outreach and effec-

tive land-use planning.

Lets stay in touch! Please join

our Facebook group or visit our

website. And of course, you’re

welcome to drop us a line at

environmentnorth@gmail.com

to join our listserve where you’ll

get regular updates from us.

Environment North sees oppor-

tunities for citizen action and

involvement in a wide variety of

environmental issues. The Nu-

clear Waste Management Or-

ganization will be moving closer

to its final site selection and

local communities will need our

help and support. Proposed

mining projects along Lake

Superior and in the Ring of Fire

will require careful considera-

tion and thoughtful input from

the public to ensure that,

should they proceed, they do so

with the greatest care to pro-

tecting the natural environment

that we all rely on for our health

and well-being.

In 2012, the Ontario govern-

ment’s new Not-for Profit Corpo-

rations Act will come into force

and EN will be undertaking a

thorough by-law and policy re-

view to ensure we are in compli-

Looking Ahead to the Next Year...

Paddling near Picnic Point on the day after Canada Day with Pie Island in the distance

Post Office Box 10307Primary Business Address

Your Address Line 2

Your Address Line 3

Your Address Line 4

environmentnorth.ca

Environment North strives to improve and protect the

environmental sustainability and socio-economic well-being

of Northwestern Ontario through:

Leadership

Research

Partnerships

Education

Community advocacy

and capacity- building

Environment North’s specific

actions revolve around respect

and shared responsibility for

air, water and land,

the essentials of all life.

A regional non-government

charitable orgranization focused

on environmental sustainability

Post Office Box 10307

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6T8

Canada

E-mail: environmentnorth@gmail.com

A regional non-government

charitable orgranization focused

on environmental sustainability